Driverless Testing of Autonomous Vehicles

Driverless Testing of Autonomous Vehicles

The autonomous vehicles driverless testing regulations establish an Autonomous Vehicle Driverless Tester Program that is administered by the department's Occupational Licensing Branch. Effective April 2, 2018, DMV can begin approving applications for autonomous vehicle testing without a driver and deployment (public use).

You may view the requirements and application process for manufacturers to obtain DMV's approval prior to testing driverless autonomous vehicles on California public roads by clicking on the link below:

Driverless Permit Holders

Autonomous Vehicles Collision Reports

Under the testing regulations, manufacturers are required to provide DMV with a Report of Traffic Collision Involving an Autonomous Vehicle (form OL 316) within 10 business days of the incident.

Autonomous Vehicle Collision Reports submitted to the department will be posted on the DMV website. Each OL 316 will be redacted of information that is not appropriate for disclosure under the California Public Records Act.

Autonomous Vehicles Disengagement Reports

The California Autonomous Vehicle Testing Regulations require every manufacturer authorized to test autonomous vehicles on public roads to submit an annual report summarizing the disengagements of the technology during testing. This "disengagement report" is due by January 1 of each year. The first report covers the period from the date of issuance of the Testing Permit to November 30 of the following year. Subsequent reports cover the period of December 1 to November 30.